Bragg brilliance helps Glamorgan to draw

A brilliant knock from Cwmbran’s Will Bragg in a painstaking partnership with fellow man of Gwent Mark Wallace saw Glamorgan rescue an unlikely draw against Worcestershire at Sophia Gardens.

Wallace’s side had been up against it in their LV=County Championship, Division Two clash with Worcester since day one, having capitulated to 150 all out in their first innings as the visitors grabbed the ascendency.

Once again Glamorgan found themselves in a position of needing to bat an entire day to secure a draw after Worcestershire set them a total of 381, an imposing target made even more daunting with the removal of South African opener Jacques Rudolph on Tuesday evening.

That meant Glamorgan needed to bat out three full sessions with nine wickets in hand and thanks to Bragg in particular, they managed it.

The Cwmbran batsman, who suffered a back injury last week and had to bat with the Glamorgan tail, produced the ultimate team innings, surviving 92 overs, 343 minutes and 285 balls in his painstaking unbeaten knock of 91.

Bragg found good company in skipper Wallace, the Abergavenny wicket-keeper making 47 off 123 balls in two-and-a-half-hours in a 41 over partnership of 97 that rescued the Dragons.

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Glamorgan made a bad start as without any addition to their overnight score of 14/1, Gareth Andrew struck with his fourth delivery of the morning as he had night-watchman Dean Cosker caught behind by Ben Cox.

Will Bragg then joined Gareth Rees in the blustery conditions, but Jack Shantry soon struck with his first delivery as Rees departed leg before to a full length delivery. Murray Goodwin came and went inside four overs, again snared by Shantry attempting a leg glance to make it 38/4.

Bragg and Stewart Walters had taken the score to 90/4 but Saeed Ajmal bowled around the wicket and had Walters caught at leg slip without any addition to the lunchtime total within three overs.

And when Charlie Morris clean bowled Jim Allenby with the total on 119/6, it appeared virtually all over for the Dragons.

However, Wallace joined the resolute Bragg who continued to play watchfully against the wily Ajmal, and Bragg completed his patient fifty from 185 balls just before tea.

There were a minimum of 33 overs remaining as Bragg and Wallace resumed for the final session with Glamorgan on 149/6 and though they were helped by a brief rain delay, the pair batted brilliant as the Worcestershire belief at securing the win began to seep away.

It looked for a moment like there might be a further twist and turn when in Ajmal's first over after the rain resumption when Wallace was trapped lbw for 47, but it was merely a last hurrah from Worcester.

Bragg and Graham Wagg held firm as Bragg concluded his best innings yet in County cricket as Glamorgan closed on 229-7.

Meanwhile Glamorgan Club President, David Morgan, from Newport, has been nominated as the next President of the MCC.

Barry O'Brien, Chairman of Glamorgan CCC, commented: "The appointment completes the remarkable achievement of David holding the posts of Chairman of Glamorgan CCC, Chairman of ECB, President of ICC and now President of MCC."

His 12 month tenure will begin on 1st October 2014, and encompass the 2015 Investec Ashes Series.

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Commenting on the appointment, Glamorgan Chief Executive, Hugh Morris, said; "I am absolutely delighted to hear the news of David Morgan's appointment as President of the MCC. I have worked closely with David for over 30 years, and I have no doubt he will make an outstanding contribution to the famous Club over the next 12 months."

Following the announcement David Morgan said; "While I am honoured to have been nominated by Mike Gatting as President Designate of the MCC, this will not diminish my commitment to Glamorgan in any way. I look forward to an exciting 12 months including the Investec Ashes Series. I have long admired the values and traditions of the MCC, and I am sure the experience will be one of the highlights of my career."

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